How to Neutralize Battery Acid With Baking Soda
by Kirsten O'Hara
Working with a battery can be messy and dangerous due to the acid and corrosion that is typically present in a battery. Spilling the acid on your clothes will likely ruin them, while getting it in your eyes is extremely dangerous. Baking soda can effectively neutralize the corrosive nature of battery acid and washing your clothes in a solution of baking soda and water can also minimize the damage from a spill.
Step 1
Disconnect the battery from the device it has been in and/or from any terminals.
Step 2
Combine three parts baking soda and one part water to form a paste.
Step 3
Use the paste and one damp cloth to scrub the battery terminals and clean any corrosion from the inside of the battery connectors.
Step 4
Use the second damp cloth to wipe off any excess paste that remains on the battery.
Step 5
Allow the battery to air dry before re-inserting it into a device and/or connecting it to terminals.
References
Tips
- Use petroleum jelly to wipe down the terminals and connectors after the battery has been re-connected. This will help prevent more corrosion from occurring in the future.
Things You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Water
- 2 damp cloths
- Petroleum jelly (optional)
Writer Bio
Kirsten O'Hara started freelance writing in 2010. She wrote for her university newspaper "Lion's Roar" and won several collegiate writing contests. O'Hara earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and a minor in English from Southeastern Louisiana University.
